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WHAT HAPPENED
At the CONVENTION
C. ALFRED WAGNER
Re-elected
President
Music Industries
Chamber of
Commerce
I
N many respects
the convention of
the
National
Music Industries
at the Palmer House,
Chicago, June 8, 9
and 10, presented a
distinct surprise, and
a pleasant one not
only to those who
were skeptical as to
the venture, but to those who were optimistic that some real
good would come out of the meetings.
There have been larger conventions—much larger—but
few have approached the recent Chicago gatherings in earnest-
ness of purpose and concrete results accomplished. The
attendance approximated that in New York last year but with
all the meetings concentrated in one section of the third floor,
and the exhibits all on the eighth floor, the effect was that of
a much larger crowd. This concentration also served to bring
manufacturers and dealers in closer contact with each other,
which in the main was most desirable.
The outstanding accomplishments of the Music Industries
Chamber of Commerce and the several affiliated associations
during the convention may be set forth briefly as follows:
THE CHAMBER
for the continued activities of the National Bureau for the Ad-
vancement of Music and for their expansion if certain expecta-
tions in the matter of outside aid actually materialize.
During the last fiscal year the Bureau was operated at a total
cost of $45,000 of which $35,000 was contributed by the trade
and $10,000 by the Carnegie Foundation. This money was
devoted to the general exploitation of music without reference
to any particular instrument in the belief that with interest
once aroused the selection of the instrument may be safely left
in the hands of the individual. President Wagner's compre-
hensive printed report distributed to all members of the
Chamber tells the whole story most effectively.
TO BAN WORN-OUT PIANOS
From the standpoint of the piano man, one of the most
important meetings, in our opinion, was that attended by
committees representing the National Piano Manufacturers'
Association, the National Association of Music Merchants,
and the National Association of Piano Tuners. This meeting
was prompted by the tuners for the purpose of promoting a
frank discussion regarding the servicing of worn-out pianos
and those of cheap and inferior construction. It was agreed
that where tuners and service men found instruments so
far gone that it
would be impos-
sible to put them
i n t o first-class
condition that the
Music Industries Chamber
owner should be
of Commerce
n o t i f i e d of the
situation and ad-
President, C. Alfred Wagner, New
York.
vised to discard
the piano and get
First vice-president, Henry C. Lomb,
a new one. If,
New York.
h o w e v e r , the
Second vice-president, Parham Wer-
owner insists on
lein, New Orleans
having the piano
Treasurer, Julius White, New York.
tuned and repair-
ed against the
Secretary and general manager,
t u n e r ' s advice,
Harry Meixell, New York.
THE NEW
In the Chamber meeting there was reported and adopted
a new financial set-up that should make possible the continua-
tion of that organization and its work indefinitely. The office
overhead has been reduced to a figure not to exceed $7500
annually and plans have been outlined whereby various
affiliated associations making use of the
Chamber offices and staff services must
National Association of
sign definite commitments t;> cover such
Music Merchants
usage. Under this arrangement, the
various organizations affiliated with
President, Edwin R. Weeks, Bingham-
the Chamber will operate as independ-
ton, N. Y.
ent units having their own executives
Vice-presidents, Jay Grinnell, Detroit;
and operating force and handling their
C. H. DeAcres, Chicago; W . W . Bred-
own funds. They will call upon the
ford, Denver; Phil A. Lehman, St. Louis.
Chamber only for supplementary service
Secretary, C. H. Yahrling, Youngs-
which will be contracted for on a
town, O.
definite and fixed basis.
Treasurer, Carl A. Droop, Washing-
The new Chamber plan also provides
ton, D. C.
THE
M U S I C
National Association of
Sheet Music Dealers
President, John Harden, Springfield,
Mass.
Vice-president, Robert Schmitt, Min-
neapolis.
Secretary-treasurer, Thomas J. Don-
Ian, New York.
TRADE
REVIEW,
July,
1931